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UN calls for end to violence in Yemen

The Security Council calls on all parties to "show maximum restraint" after 18 civilians were killed on Saturday.

25 Sep 2011 08:51 GMT

The United Nations Security Council has called for an end to violence in Yemen, where forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh have attacked opposition protesters and clashed with defected soldiers loyal to the Yemeni people's revolution, leaving scores dead or injured.

The 15 Security Council nations, which include the US, China and Russia, issued a statement on Saturday calling on all sides to "reject violence, including against peaceful and unarmed civilians, and show maximum restraint."

At least 18 civilians and 11 defected soldiers were killed in Sanaa on Saturday, raising the death toll to 49 since President Saleh returned from a three month absence on Friday and 144 since pro-Saleh troops intensified the government's crackdown last Sunday.

The UNSC statement also "called on all parties to move forward urgently in an inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led process of political transition".

"The members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern at the continued serious deterioration of the economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen. They were deeply concerned at the worsening security situation, including the threat from al-Qaeda in parts of Yemen," added the statement.

The council called for access to provide humanitarian assistance and called on all sides "not to target vital infrastructure."

Violence rages

Three people were killed and three others were wounded early Sunday in clashes in Yemen's second largest city Taiz, a tribal source said, amid an uneasy calm in the capital a day after deadly clashes.

The overnight fighting erupted between armed tribesmen who have thrown their support behind anti-government protesters and security forces loyal to embattled President Saleh.

On Saturday, government forces attacked unarmed demonstrators camped in Sanaa's "Change Square" and the headquarters of defected soldiers.

Troops loyal to Saleh launched the attack a little after midnight, opening fire with mortars and guns. Reports indicate that at least 18 people were killed and 54 injured in the assault.